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Beringer's Bancroft Ranch vineyard is located at an elevation of 1,800 feet on Howell Mountain, a growing area with well-drained volcanic soils. In 1984, Howell Mountain became the first area within the Napa Valley appellation to be declared a separate viticultural area (AVA) for the distinct characteristics of its wine grapes and now it is home to several of Napa Valley's most famous wines. Bancroft Ranch produces clusters with small berries whose high skin-to-fruit ratio results in wellstructured wines with concentrated flavors. The flavors are further enhanced by the climate: the vineyard is about 5 to 10 degrees cooler than the valley floor but experiences more hours of sunshine over the course of a day because it is above the fog belt.The lots were kept separate through fermentation and aging to retain the individual terroir characteristics of each part of the vineyard. After gentle crushing and destemming, the juice and skins were sent to small fermenters where color, flavors and tannins were slowly extracted from the skins as vinification progressed. Ed and his winemaking partner Laurie Hook chose 100-percent-new custom-toasted French Nevers oak barrels to age the wines. After 26 months they were satisfied that the big, Cabernet-like tannins in the Howell Mountain Merlot had enough time to soften, and the aromas from the barrels had integrated well with fruit characteristics from the grapes. They also chose to add small percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc to the blend to bring a black cherry accent to the nose and elongate the finish.Beringer has been making a vineyard-designated Bancroft Ranch Merlot since the 1987 vintage when they began to see what Merlot could really offer when planted in the right place. Bancroft Ranch is a very special vineyard that produces grapes with amazing concentration of flavors, tannins and structure. The 2003 Howell Mountain Merlot bursts with cola berry, plum, cocoa and kirsch-like cherry aromas that lead into a rich ripe black fruit flavors with hints of cedar and roasted coffee beans. It's got a bright acidity that is balanced by richness, ripe tannins and a very satisfying finish.Wine Advocate | Robert M. Parker, Jr. | December 26, 2006This medium-bodied, spicy, moderately tannic wine displays white chocolate, crushed rock, black currant, cherry, and earth characteristics. It will drink nicely for 7-10 years.

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It is impossible to take Beringer’s long history lightly. With their 215 acre plot of land purchased in 1875 and the winery founded in 1876, Jacob and Frederick Beringer’s winery is the oldest continually operating winery in Napa Valley. In 2001, it was named a historic district in the National Register for Historic Places. Current winemaker Laurie Hook and winemaster Ed ... Read more

It is impossible to take Beringer’s long history lightly. With their 215 acre plot of land purchased in 1875 and the winery founded in 1876, Jacob and Frederick Beringer’s winery is the oldest continually operating winery in Napa Valley. In 2001, it was named a historic district in the National Register for Historic Places. Current winemaker Laurie Hook and winemaster Ed Sbragia continue to draw from over a dozen vineyards to create world-class wines from varying soil compositions and climates.
The winery managed to survive, and even thrive, during Prohibition by selling sacramental wines with a federal license. Since the wine was being made for religious purposes, it was legal!
A unique aspect of Beringer is the tunnel system that was carved into the side of Spring Mountain around 1880. Chinese immigrant workers, the same workers that helped build the Trans-Continental Railroad, spent years hand-chiseling the 1,200 feet of tunnels. To this day, the tunnels act as a natural insulator, keeping the temperature between 58 and 60 degrees year-round, ideal for storing wine.
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Beringer's Bancroft Ranch vineyard is located at an elevation of 1,800 feet on Howell Mountain, a growing area with well-drained volcanic soils. In 1984, Howell Mountain became the first area within the Napa Valley appellation to be declared a separate viticultural area (AVA) for the distinct characteristics of its wine grapes and now it is home to several of Napa Valley's most famous wines. Bancroft Ranch produces clusters with small berries whose high skin-to-fruit ratio results in wellstructured wines with concentrated flavors. The flavors are further enhanced by the climate: the vineyard is about 5 to 10 degrees cooler than the valley floor but experiences more hours of sunshine over the course of a day because it is above the fog belt.The lots were kept separate through fermentation and aging to retain the individual terroir characteristics of each part of the vineyard. After gentle crushing and destemming, the juice and skins were sent to small fermenters where color, flavors and tannins were slowly extracted from the skins as vinification progressed. Ed and his winemaking partner Laurie Hook chose 100-percent-new custom-toasted French Nevers oak barrels to age the wines. After 26 months they were satisfied that the big, Cabernet-like tannins in the Howell Mountain Merlot had enough time to soften, and the aromas from the barrels had integrated well with fruit characteristics from the grapes. They also chose to add small percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc to the blend to bring a black cherry accent to the nose and elongate the finish.Beringer has been making a vineyard-designated Bancroft Ranch Merlot since the 1987 vintage when they began to see what Merlot could really offer when planted in the right place. Bancroft Ranch is a very special vineyard that produces grapes with amazing concentration of flavors, tannins and structure. The 2003 Howell Mountain Merlot bursts with cola berry, plum, cocoa and kirsch-like cherry aromas that lead into a rich ripe black fruit flavors with hints of cedar and roasted coffee beans. It's got a bright acidity that is balanced by richness, ripe tannins and a very satisfying finish.Wine Advocate | Robert M. Parker, Jr. | December 26, 2006This medium-bodied, spicy, moderately tannic wine displays white chocolate, crushed rock, black currant, cherry, and earth characteristics. It will drink nicely for 7-10 years.